Fence-post



(No Model.)

L. B. MESNARD.

FENGBPOSI. Patented July 16, 1895.

71% tzze J56 a.

UNITED STATES LUTHER B. MESNARD,.OF NORWALK, OHIO.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 542,976, dated July 16,1895. Application filed February 4., 1895- Serial No. 537,204. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LUTHER B. MEsNARD, of Norwalk,in the county of Huronand State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFence-Posts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in metallic fence-posts moreespecially designed for use in the building of wire fences.

The primary object is to construct a post that when set in the ground isnot liable to be displaced and that is exceedingly simple inconstruction and comparatively inexpensive.

WVith this object in view and to the end of.

realizing certain other advantages hereinafter specified my inventionconsists in certain features of construction and combinations of partshereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a metallicfence-post embodying my invention, showing the post set in the ground.Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the lower portion of the post and the toolthat may be employed in centering the same during its introduction intothe ground. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a portion of the,post andcentering-tool. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line 4 4, Fig. 1.Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse sections of a post, Fig. 6 being supposedto be a sectiouxon line 6 6, Fig. 1. Figs. 7 and 8 are sections on lines7 7and 8 8, respectively, Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the body portion of my improvedmetallic fence-post. The post is preferably composed of sheet or platemetal bent longitudinally, so as to render the body portion of the postV-shaped or, U -shaped in cross-section, as shown'in Figs. 5 and 6. Thepost is slotted or slitted upwardly from its lower extremity, as at a,to form blades A, that are arranged in a spiral path about the axis ofthe post. The blades are bent outwardly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,preferably so that the outer ends thereof shall be located in a planebelow the inner ends of the blades. The

blades at one of their longitudinal edges terminate, respectively, in acutting-edge a, and

each blade is, furthermore, bent in such a manner that the cutting-edgethereof shall be located below the opposite longitudinal and blunt edgeof the blade. Briefly described, the post at its lower end is providedwith outwardly-projecting blades arranged in a spiral path about theaxis of the post and shaped and bent in such a manner as to op? erate inthe manner of an anger or screw.

I'am aware that metallic posts have heretofore been made with screws atthe lower ends for screwing them into the ground.

A sheet or plate metallic post provided with blades constructed andarranged as hereinbefore described is much simpler and cheaper than theconstruction of the screw-post heretofore devised, and is preferable,not only because it is equally as durable and much cheaper, but moreeffectuallyprevents vertical displacement of the post, because theblades are comparatively long, and the ground-entering end of myimproved post is not unlike the root of a tree. The post is readilyintroduced into the ground, because it is hollow and enables the earthdisplaced by the blades in screwing the post into the ground to escapeupwardly inside of the post.

A centering-tool B (see Figs. 2 and 3) may be employed during theintroduction of the post into the ground. Said tool consists preferablyof a metallic bar pointed at its lower end and provided at any suitablepoint with a laterally-projecting lug 1), adapted to engage aud restupon a shoulder or seat A formed upon the body portion of the fencepost,said shoulder or seat on the fence-post being readily formed by makingthe lower portion of the post tapering toward its lower end and slottingor indenting said tapering portion of the post laterally. The upperportion of the centering-t0ol is provided with an eye B, that protrudesat the outer side of the post and accommodates the introduction of acrowbar or other tool suitable for turning the post, as required tointroduce the same into the earth.

The edges of the upper portion of the post are preferably corrugated atsuitable intervals, as at A to form seats for the wires of the fence.

An anchor-plate O is, preferably, also provided, (see Figs. 1 and 7,)said plate being adapted to be inserted into the ground, preferably justbelow the surface of the earth, and is arranged in the direction of theline of the fence. Anchor-plate C is slitted, as at C, to form two jawsor tongues 0 that are bent laterally to engage the external surface ofopposite sides, Said anchor-slate acts to prevent the post fromdisplacement or swaying laterally in a direction transversely of theline of the fence.

D designates a brace for preventing the displacement or swaying of thepost laterally of the fence, said brace being arranged diagonally to thepost and consisting, preferably, of a strip of sheet metal,the upperportion whereof is bent longitudinally into a shape adapted to conformto the external shape of the post for which the brace is designed, andthe brace and body portion of the post are secured together by anadjustable collar E that embraces the post and brace. The brace at itslower end engages a horizontally-arranged anchor-plate G that is struckup at its central portion, as at g, to form an eye for the reception ofthe lower outwardlybent portion of the brace.

Collar IE, it will be observed, is adjustable vertically to accommodatethe tilting of the post and brace as required in plumbing the post. Thecollar is readily lifted or loosened by a blow from below to accommodatethe adjustment of the brace and post and is as readily brought into andsecured in its operative position by one or more blows or press ure fromabove.

What I claim isrespectively, of the post 1. A metallic fence-post,slotted or slitted upwardly from its lower extremity to form blades thatare bent outwardly and are arranged in a spiral path about the axis ofthe post, substantially as set forth.

2. A metallic fence-post slotted or slitted upwardly from its lowerextremity to form blades that are bent to project outwardly and arearranged in a spiral path about the axis of the post, said blades havingcutting-edges, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A metallic fence-post the body-portion whereof is composed of plateor sheet metal and V-shaped or U-shaped in cross-section, and is slottedor slitted upwardly from its lower extremity to form blades that arearranged in a spiral path about the axis of the post, substantially asset forth.

4;. The combination with a metallic fencepost V or U-shaped incross-section, and provided at its lower end with outwardly-pro jeetingblades arranged in a spiral path about the axis of the post,of acentering-baradapted to be placed within the post during theintroduction of the latter into the ground said centering-device beingprovided with an eye for the reception of the bar or tool employed inturning the post, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification, in the presence of twowitnesses, this Q-tth day of November, 1894:.

LUTHER l3. MESNARD.

Witnesses:

G. H. Donna, L. WARD Hoovnn.

